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Some trains suspended as Japan continues to be hit by heavy rainfall

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BNN Correspondents
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Vehicles submerged under water following heavy rain brought about by Typhoon Mawar, japan <br> Image Credit: REUTERS

Storm weakens after passing Okinawa but still poses threat to mainland Japan

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Japan is facing the risk of floods and landslides as Tropical Storm Mawar brings heavy rain to the country's southern islands. The storm, which was formerly a super typhoon, passed the Okinawan archipelago on Friday morning, causing injuries to eight people and canceling dozens of flights.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that the storm could dump up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) of rain in some parts of western and central Japan by Saturday evening. The agency issued flood and mudslide warnings in several prefectures, including Mie, Wakayama, Aichi and Shizuoka, and urged residents near rivers and hillsides to use caution.
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The JMA also advised more than a million people to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure. However, many people chose to stay put, citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic or the difficulty of finding shelter.

One person killed by flooding in Toyohashi

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The heavy rain has already claimed one life in Japan. A man was found dead in a car that was submerged by floodwater in Toyohashi city, Aichi prefecture, on Friday afternoon. The police said they received a report of a car being swept away by a swollen river around 2 p.m. local time. They later discovered the body of the driver inside the vehicle.
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The victim was identified as a 58-year-old man who worked at a nearby factory. He was on his way home when he encountered the flood, according to local media reports.

Shinkansen bullet trains resume operation after suspension

The storm also disrupted transportation across Japan. Shinkansen bullet trains were suspended between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka in western Japan due to heavy rain on Friday morning. The Central Japan Railway Co. said it resumed operation around noon after checking the safety of the tracks.
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However, some local trains and buses were still canceled or delayed in affected areas. Ferry services in Tokyo Bay were also suspended for the rest of Friday.
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More than 17,500 homes in seven of the nine prefectures serviced by the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings lost power due to the storm. The utility said it was working to restore electricity as soon as possible.
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Storm expected to move away from Japan by Saturday

Mawar is expected to move away from Japan by Saturday morning, according to the JMA. The agency said the storm was located near Amami-Oshima Island, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) southwest of Tokyo, as of 3 p.m. local time on Friday. It had winds blowing up to 82 kph (51 mph) and was moving east-northeast at 25 kph (15 mph).
The storm weakened significantly after passing Okinawa, where it caused injuries to several people on Thursday night and Friday morning. An elderly woman suffered a serious head injury after falling in Nishihara city, while seven others sustained minor injuries from flying objects or falls.
Mawar also caused damage to buildings and crops on Okinawa and other islands in the region. More than 100 flights were canceled at Naha Airport, affecting about 15,000 passengers.

Storm originated from super typhoon that hit Guam

Mawar originated from Super Typhoon Mawar that slammed into Guam on May 28, leaving widespread destruction and power outages on the U.S. territory. The storm was the strongest to hit Guam in more than two decades, with winds gusting up to 280 kph (175 mph).
As of Wednesday, only 28% of power had been restored and about half the water system was operational on Guam, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There were long lines for gas, and officials estimated it would take four to six weeks before power was fully restored.
Mawar largely skirted Taiwan and the Philippines earlier this week. It sent waves crashing into Taiwan's east coast and brought heavy rains to the northern Philippines, but no major damage was reported.

Rainy season front intensifies due to tropical storm

The rainy season front that usually affects Japan from June to July has become more active due to the inflow of humid air from Mawar. The front has caused heavy localized rain in many parts of Japan, marking the highest rainfall on record for June in some areas.
The JMA said that even after Mawar moves away from Japan, the rainy season front will remain over the country for a while, bringing unstable weather conditions. The agency advised people to stay alert for sudden changes in weather and prepare for possible disasters.
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